Job Opening for Executive Director

We are currently searching for a full-time Executive Director. Please review these four documents for more information about the position and application instructions. Interviews are scheduled to begin the week of February 23.

Transportation Planning Overview

What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization?

MPOs exist in every state in the U.S. A new MPO is formed by federal mandate when an urbanized area reaches a population of more than 50,000. MPO staff are responsible for ensuring that federal spending on multi-modal transportation occurs through a comprehensive, cooperative and continuing (3-C) process. Representatives from city, county and state government agencies and local transit providers participate in MPO activities. They are responsible for planning and prioritizing transportation projects receiving federal funding. Highway planning and transit planning federal funds are distributed by the state DOT to each MPO, and funding also comes from state matches and local contributions.

What is a Regional Transportation Planning Organization?

An RTPO is formed through state legislation as part of the Growth Management Act to ensure local and regional coordination of transportation planning within counties. There are RTPOs covering almost all of the counties in Washington. In addition to city, county and state agencies and local transit providers, representatives in the RTPO can include ports, tribes, transportation service providers and private employers. Funding is provided through state transportation planning money to cover both urban and rural areas. The planning functions and requirements of an MPO and an RTPO are intended to be complementary.